Construction Named Among ‘High-Risk’ Sectors for Modern Slavery

Why It Matters

With the UK targeting an unprecedented housing build, the construction sector’s exposure to forced labour threatens legal compliance, brand reputation, and worker safety, prompting urgent regulatory and corporate action.

Key Takeaways

• Construction joins vape shops, barbers, car washes as high‑risk sector
• Report warns surge in subcontracting may deepen exploitation
• 492 potential construction victims identified in UK in 2024
• Migrant workers from Romania, Poland, India, China most vulnerable
• Government's 1.5 million‑home plan could amplify slavery risks

Pulse Analysis

Modern slavery has moved from headline‑grabbing scandals to a systemic risk embedded in high‑growth industries, and the UK construction sector now sits at the forefront of that shift. The Independent Anti‑Slavery Commissioner’s new futures analysis links the sector’s heavy reliance on migrant labour—often sourced through opaque recruitment agencies—to a surge in forced‑labour indicators. As the government rolls out an ambitious 1.5 million‑home programme, demand spikes are expected to deepen subcontracting layers, making exploitative practices harder to detect and harder to regulate.

For contractors, the report signals a turning point in supply‑chain governance. Traditional risk‑assessment tools, which focus on direct employees, must expand to cover temporary workers, subcontractors, and even overseas suppliers. Failure to embed robust due‑diligence can result in legal penalties under the UK Modern Slavery Act, as well as reputational damage that erodes client trust. Industry bodies are already urging members to adopt transparent hiring practices, audit recruitment agencies, and implement real‑time monitoring of labour conditions on sites.

Policymakers and NGOs are calling for coordinated action to mitigate the looming crisis. Recommendations include tightening licensing for labour brokers, mandating regular third‑party audits, and creating a public registry of high‑risk projects. By aligning regulatory pressure with industry incentives—such as preferential treatment for firms that demonstrate strong anti‑slavery controls—the sector can turn compliance into a competitive advantage. As the housing drive accelerates, proactive stewardship will be essential to prevent modern slavery from becoming an entrenched feature of the UK construction landscape.